FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University men's and women's cross country teams will race against most of its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference foes for the first time in 2015 on Saturday with a trip to Pennington, N.J. for the Rider Invitational. Including the Stags and host Broncs, a total of eight MAAC teams will participate in the meet.

The men's 8K race is set for 10 a.m. at Rosedale Park, following by the women's 6K race at approximately at 11 a.m.

At last weekend's Marist Season Opener, six of the 12 Stags to compete made their collegiate debuts. Several more Fairfield harriers – both newcomers and upperclassmen – are expected to compete for the first time in 2015 this weekend.

Senior captain Dan DeBlock led Fairfield last weekend in Poughkeepsie, scoring 15 points and placing 20th overall. The senior logged a time of 19:56.5 in the 6K race at Vassar Farms. Jordan Dixon paced the Stags' newcomers with a time of 20:31.2 in his first collegiate race.

Also running for the Stags were Frank Segreto, Andrew Infascelli, Mike Bodie and Timothy Salit.

In the women's 4K event, senior captain Kathleen Woods paced Fairfield with a ninth-place time of 19:14.7. Sarah Morrissette was the next Stag to cross the line, doing so in 20:49.4 to score 17 points and place 30th overall. Newcomer Katie Kern was right behind her with a 31st-place showing at 20:54.3.

Julia Wood, Annie Erikson and Ashley Cambisaca also ran in the event for Fairfield.

Following this weekend's competition, the Stags will return to Fairfield to host the Fr. Victor J. Leeber, S.J. Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 26. FairfieldStags.com will have complete coverage of the event throughout the week.